Zelensky Ready to Freeze Frontlines, Ukraine May Accept Losing 25% of Its Territory to Russia
Ukrainian President Signals Willingness for Ceasefire, Seeks Security Guarantees to Prevent Further Russian Aggression
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signalled his willingness to freeze the current frontlines as part of a potential peace agreement with Russia, indicating that Ukraine could accept a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces in control of territories they have captured during the ongoing war.
Speaking during an American television talk show on Wednesday, Zelensky described freezing the frontlines as a realistic way to bring the conflict to an end. However, he stressed that any ceasefire arrangement must be accompanied by firm security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression and occupation.
When asked whether Ukraine would retain 75 per cent or more of its territory, Zelensky responded affirmatively, suggesting that Kyiv was prepared to consider a ceasefire along the existing battle lines rather than immediately attempting to reclaim all occupied territories.
“Yes, right now we have to freeze, and I think this is a real way to end this war,” Zelensky said, adding that the proposal was consistent with the approach of US President Donald Trump, who has called for the fighting to be stopped.
He said Ukraine would subsequently seek security guarantees from the United States and European countries to ensure that Russia would not resume its military offensive.
Zelensky Says Russia Is Not Winning the War
Despite indicating his willingness to accept a freeze along the current frontlines, Zelensky rejected the suggestion that Russia was winning the war.
He argued that Moscow was attempting to exert pressure on Ukraine to force it to surrender territory, insisting that such an outcome would be unfair to the Ukrainian people.
“They’re not winning on the battlefield,” Zelensky said, while acknowledging that Ukrainians were exhausted by the prolonged conflict and wanted the fighting to end as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian president maintained that his country remained determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, even as the government explores diplomatic avenues to end the war.
The conflict began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has resulted in widespread destruction, displacement and significant military and civilian casualties.
Security Guarantees Remain a Key Condition
Zelensky’s remarks indicate a willingness to consider freezing the conflict along the existing frontlines, but they do not amount to a formal agreement to legally surrender Ukrainian territory to Russia.
Under such an arrangement, Russia could retain de facto control over territories occupied by its forces, while the question of their legal status would remain unresolved.
For Kyiv, security guarantees remain a central condition for any potential peace settlement. Ukraine has repeatedly expressed concern that a ceasefire without credible international safeguards could give Russia an opportunity to regroup and launch another offensive in the future.
Zelensky has therefore emphasised the need for commitments from Washington and European capitals before agreeing to a lasting settlement.
Growing Differences Between Trump and Zelensky
The remarks come amid growing tensions between Zelensky and Trump over the approach to ending the war.
Trump has criticised the Ukrainian president over the lack of progress towards a settlement and has called for a swift end to the conflict. Zelensky, meanwhile, has continued to stress that any peace deal must protect Ukraine’s long-term security and independence.
Zelenskyy recently held discussions with senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on possible ways to end the war.
Differences have also emerged over a reported US-Russia oil deal, with Zelensky criticising the move and Trump responding with further criticism of the Ukrainian leadership. Ukrainian ministers have defended Zelensky, saying the country’s leadership should be determined by its own people.
Meanwhile, a report by The Wall Street Journal claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed a trilateral meeting involving Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the Ukraine conflict, with Moscow seeking an outcome favourable to Russia. US and Chinese officials had not confirmed the reported proposal.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Zelensky’s latest comments mark a significant indication of Ukraine’s willingness to explore a ceasefire based on the current military situation. However, whether such a proposal can lead to a lasting peace agreement will depend on negotiations over security guarantees, occupied territories and the terms acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow.
